Top Law Schools

First-time poster, long-time lurker. I currently live in Tennessee and was planning on going to highest-ranked school I could get into, but got an opportunity to move to DC area and work for a government agency. My long-term goal would be to work for the government, and then after that go work at a firm long-term either in Dallas (where my girlfriend is from) or back home in Cali. Wouldn't mind NY either. Money is a slight concern, but not the biggest at all by any means. So:

NW: 2nd highest-ranked school I got into (got into Michigan and Penn too, but have no interest). Really good placement from what I've seen, but could I go into government from Northwestern? Or get a job in Cali/TX/NY?

Georgetown: I could keep my job and the reputation is good. Love DC, excited to be living there. Could I get a job in Cali or TX from Georgetown?

Cornell: Ivy pedigree, seems to place well on the east coast and I really like Ithaca. Placement for anywhere other than NY?

Texas: Places well in TX, obviously, but also in DC/NY/Cali? Heard of a few people in government that went to TX -- gave me money and Austin is great weather.

Vandy: I get to stay where i went to undergrad and where my family currently lives. Great placement, from what I've heard, but placement in DC/Texas/NY/California?

Also got into USC and dinged at a few T6. Thoughts?

I went with UT. If you've got some good money to go there and are wanting to go back to Texas it sounds like a good deal to me. If not, then you would probably want to go with one of the schools with better DC placement. All about where you want to be in three years...

UT if you want to work in Texas and save some money. Northwestern if you want maximum flexibility.

But TBH your best bet is Michigan for gov't / CA / TX / NY.

I am honestly curious why you have no interest in Penn. That said, given the options you are actually interested in, I say go Big Red. Great placement in NYC, low COL, and a scholarship to boot! Not to mention if you're from California currently living in Tennessee you'll enjoy all the snow

Considering your goals and criteria, why no Michigan or Penn? They would give you more flexibility than any of the other options. I mean... you applied and everything, why the lack of interest?

Thank you all for your input -- I'm leaning to Gtown + keeping my job, with Northwestern a close second, so this poll surprises me -- especially Cornell/Texas, which I've heard don't translate to DC or California as well as, say Georgetown (I'm heavily favoring going to California over TX and NYC, although I wouldn't mind the latter too). I'm not sure how flexible Northwestern/Texas are in this regard, and whether it's worth the extra money to go to Northwestern just because of its rank and placement stats.

Not going to Penn for personal reasons, and I have been to Ann Arbor since applying and don't see myself there for three years. Is it really that much more portable than Northwestern?

CaliBoy446 wrote:Thank you all for your input -- I'm leaning to Gtown + keeping my job, with Northwestern a close second, so this poll surprises me -- especially Cornell/Texas, which I've heard don't translate to DC or California as well as, say Georgetown (I'm heavily favoring going to California over TX and NYC, although I wouldn't mind the latter too). I'm not sure how flexible Northwestern/Texas are in this regard, and whether it's worth the extra money to go to Northwestern just because of its rank and placement stats.

Not going to Penn for personal reasons, and I have been to Ann Arbor since applying and don't see myself there for three years. Is it really that much more portable than Northwestern?

It is hard to say whether or not Michigan REALLY is more portable because mich students go everywhere and NU students concentrate in Chicago. Simply put, self-selection makes it hard to know what the real deal is.

Not liking Ann arbor is a good reason to not attend though because wherever you go, happiness is key. I say NU out of the options you are considering because they place really well and Chi town is amazing. But if you want the best shot at Cali, Michigan would be the best option.

CaliBoy446 wrote:Thank you all for your input -- I'm leaning to Gtown + keeping my job, with Northwestern a close second, so this poll surprises me -- especially Cornell/Texas, which I've heard don't translate to DC or California as well as, say Georgetown (I'm heavily favoring going to California over TX and NYC, although I wouldn't mind the latter too). I'm not sure how flexible Northwestern/Texas are in this regard, and whether it's worth the extra money to go to Northwestern just because of its rank and placement stats.

Not going to Penn for personal reasons, and I have been to Ann Arbor since applying and don't see myself there for three years. Is it really that much more portable than Northwestern?

If you're heavily leaning toward California, Michigan would place the best there, but Northwestern would be a close second. An argument could be made for saving money at UT, but only if you're set on Texas. GULC (huge class size) and Cornell (weak placement outside NYC) are much less attractive, IMO.

I just voted for Georgetown. If you're working as a Fed right now and you like your job, stay in DC. If you work all through law school and want to stay in government you can most likely do a lateral into whatever agency you want. Some agencies have loan repayment programs as hiring incentives as well. Georgetown's network in DC is crazy big and though it has a bit of a reputation as a diploma mill, everyone knows its the best school in DC.

I'm still waiting to hear from Georgetown but if I get in, I may have to decide between it, Northwestern, maybe Cornell, and Fordham w/ $$. You can't go wrong with Northwestern either, but given the economy I think its a great idea to stay with the government.